The Alden-Conger softball came up one win shy of playing in the championship at the New Richland Invitational tournament Saturday, going 2-1 with wins over St. Clair and Glenville-Emmons.

“This is the best three-game tournament we’ve played in forever and the kids had fun,” said Knights head coach Gary Nelson.

The Knights opened the day with a 16-13 loss to Kasson-Mantorville, but fell victim to a nine-run outburst by the Komets in the third inning.

Jessie Bolinger went 3-for-4, Nikki Schultz 2-for-4 with a double and Nadean Kruger 2-for-4. Kenzie Martin was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Haley Knutson and Krista Mathiason each added two RBIs.

Alden-Conger bounced back for a 10-5 victory over St. Clair in the second game with Martin throwing a strong game on the mound.

Martin allowed five runs on four hits and walked just three en route to the win.

Martin also drove in three runs while Mathiason led the team with three RBIs on 2-for-5 hitting.

The Knights (3-4) held off a feisty Glenville-Emmons squad in the finale for a 17-8 win.

Alden-Conger jumped out to an 11-6 lead after the fourth inning and continued to hit, picking up five runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Schultz and Martin each had two RBIs and Krueger went 2-for-2 at the plate.

Kasson-Mantorville 16, Alden-Conger 13

Alden-Conger 060 031 3 — 13 14 3

Kasson-Mantorville 419 021 x — 16 12 1

LP — Kenzie Martin 7 IP, 12 H, 13 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Alden-Conger 10, St. Clair 5

Alden-Conger 250 012 0 — 10 11 0

St. Clair 121 010 0 — 5 4 2

WP — Kenzie Martin 7 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K

Alden-Conger 17, Glenville-Emmons 8

Alden-Conger 052 410 5 — 16 15 2

Glenville-Emmons 030 301 1 — 8 8 3

WP — Kenzie Martin 7 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 0 K